American History and Genealogy Project

List of Freemen

~
1849 ~ 89

[Communicated by Rev. Loctus R. Paige of Cambridge, member of
the N. E. Hist. Geneal. Society.]

Under the first charter of the
Massachusetts colony none were regarded as freemen, or members
of the body politic, except such as were admitted by the General
Court and took the oath of allegiance to the government here
established. This custom continued in existence until, by the
second charter, the colony was transformed into a province. Mr.
Savage, in his edition of Winthrop's Journal, published a list
of persons admitted freemen, up to May 10, 1648; and he justly
remarked, that "these are probably ancestors of near three
fourths of the present inhabitants of the six New England
states, with almost half of New York and Ohio." Having occasion
to use a more full list of freemen, I transcribed, nearly eight
years ago, the names of all the persons admitted freemen, up to
the time when the practice was discontinued, as recorded in the
office of the Secretary of State. Agreeably to the request of
the editor of the Register, this list is now furnished for
publication. The names stand in the same order as in the
original, and the orthography is carefully preserved. To guard
more effectually against mistakes, I have recently, after so
long an interval, compared my copy with the original, and I
believe it to be correct, so far as the original remains
legible. It is not surprising that many of the names are
incorrectly spelled. They are not autographs; but they were
written by the Secretary, according to the sound, as the names
were pronounced to him. Moreover, it sometimes occurred,
doubtless, that he did not catch the sound accurately, and
therefore mistook the true name. I have endeavored to exhibit an
exact transcript; so that all readers may have the same
opportunity to make proper corrections, which a perusal of the
original would afford.

The oath administered to freemen is a
document not without interest, and is here inserted, both in its
original and its revised form, the orthography only being
changed.

"The oath of a Freeman, or of a man to
be made Free.

"I, A. B. &c being by the Almighty's
most wise disposition become a member of this body, consisting
of the Governor, Deputy Governor, Assistants and Commonalty of
the Massachusetts in New England, do freely and sincerely
acknowledge that I am justly and lawfully subject to the
Government of the same, and do accordingly submit my person and
estate to be protected, ordered and governed by the laws and
constitutions thereof, and do faithfully promise to be from time
to time obedient and conformable thereunto, and to the authority
of the said Governor and Assistants, and their successors, and
to all such laws, orders, sentences and decrees as shall be
lawfully made and published by them or their successors. And I
will always endeavor (as in duty I am bound) to advance the
peace and welfare of this body or commonwealth, to my utmost
skill and ability. And I will, to my best power and means, seek
to divert and prevent whatsoever may tend to the ruin or damage
thereof, or of any the said Governor, Deputy Governor, or
Assistants, or any of them, or their successors, and will give
speedy notice to them, or some of them, of any sedition,
violence, treachery, or other hurt or evil, which I shall know,
hear, or vehemently suspect, to he plotted or intended against
the said commonwealth, or the said Government established. And I
will not, at any time, suffer or give consent to any counsel or
attempt, that shall be offered, given, or attempted, for the
impeachment of the said Government, or making any change or
alteration of the same, contrary to the laws and ordinances
thereof; but shall do my utmost endeavor to discover, oppose and
hinder all and every such counsel and attempt. So help me God."Col. Rec. Vol, L page 1.

"At a General Court holden at Boston,
May 14, 1684.

"It was agreed and ordered, that the
former oath of freemen shall be revoked, so far as it is
dissonant from the oath of freemen hereunder written; and that
those that received the former oath shall stand bound no further
thereby, to any intent or purpose, than this new oath ties those
that now take the same."1